Research & Design Building
Headquartered in Lake Forest, California, the Sole Technology Research & Design building was inspired by the design and vision of Pierre André Senizergues. The 75,000 square foot facility blends modern and ecological design and has received a number of prestigious design and architecture awards, such as the National Award of Honor from the Society of American Registered Architects. Spanning nearly five acres, the facility includes more than a full acre dedicated to eco-sensitive landscaping.
The building's exterior features smooth curves breaking into block walls representing the flow of a skateboard and defiance of convention that shapes skate culture. Form follows function internally as the building houses corporate offices, brand showrooms, conference rooms, design departments, production facilities and a 50,000 square foot warehouse. Eco-sensitive materials combine with natural lighting to create a natural harmony throughout the building.
In an effort to leverage the Earth's renewable energy sources, Sole Technology installed an 185 kW Schott Free Standing Solar System on the building’s rooftop. This system consists of 616 ASE-300-DGF/50 panels that provide over 275,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually. This equates to an annual savings of nearly $30,000 in energy costs. More importantly, it eliminates 97 tons of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions each year.